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Special guest Dillon will inspire many women to run these events. Her fortitude and perseverance contributed mightily in bringing women’s distance running to the heights it will enjoy in this 2005 tour of Cape Cod--February 27, 2005. The Twenty-fifth Annual Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and Marathon Relay will run on Sunday, February 27, 2004, a Silver Anniversary party. Significantly, it will be a celebration of 25 years of marathon tradition and America’s running boom; and especially the enormous strides by women runners during those years. After all, this race was born in 1978, as a direct result of the running boom. That was the same year Rodgers won his second Boston and Dillon won her first Honolulu Marathon. The Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and Marathon Relay has run continuously, although there were a few years where the half marathon was run, but not the full marathon. It was during the first years of the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and Marathon Relay that Bill Rodgers and Patti Dillon (a.k.a. Patti Lyons Catalano) were at the peak of their careers, and setting American and world records like clockwork. It is fitting that they return to honor and celebrate those 25 years of running tradition. They inspired thousands to run during the boom years, and will inspire many to run these events on Cape Cod, in honor of the progress of women’s running. Rodgers will be the “Special Guest Speaker” on Saturday evening, February 26, at the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and Marathon Relay Pasta Dinner. Patti Dillon will be the “Extra Special Guest” at the Pasta Dinner and race expo, and will also speak. Dillon represents the perseverance and determination that brought women’s running to the forefront, especially at the marathon distance.  “I still think of her and Joanie (Benoit Samuelson) as the top two American women marathoners of all time,” said Rodgers. They represent a special class of athlete that inspired other women, and laid the foundations for the upsurge in women’s long distance. These events, and associated dinner and expo, will highlight that inspiration, exemplified so well by Patti Dillon. ChoiceThere will be four event options associated with Marathon Day, providing a distance, pace and challenge for everyone. And what a location! What wonderful scenery! The surroundings alone will be a guarantee of enjoyment. However, in addition to the fabulous Old Cape Cod style, scenery, and ambiance, these events have terrific organization. They will also have a wonderful venue for pre and post-race festivities—The Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Resort Hotel. This will be a memorable weekend getaway, exciting and affordable; it is a goal worth pursuing. Four Points, four events—and they will begin simultaneously at 10:00 a.m. And all four end at the same finish line near the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Resort Hotel. The Marathon and Marathon Relay will enjoy a double loop, the half marathon will run one loop; the 10K will diverge for a different scenic tour. Patti Dillon and Bill Rodgers, Extraordinary RecordsPatti Dillon won four consecutive Honolulu Marathons, setting records in each one (1978 to 1981). She brought that record down by 11 minutes and 20 seconds in four years. She set the American marathon record three times, and was the first American woman to break 2 hours, 30 minutes. She set world records at 5 miles, half marathon, 20K, and 30K. Her other American records included 10K and 15K. She is now 51 and running again after a long hiatus. She has two children, both running on the cross-country team she coaches. She has been married to Dan Dillon, a standout cross-country star, since 1992. Her story is an amazing study in dedication, perseverance, hope, and redemption.  She placed second in three consecutive Boston Marathons; in two of them, 1979 and 1980, the men’s winner was Rodgers. In 1979 Joan Benoit overtook Dillon –then Patti Lyons--on the hills to win her first Boston, setting a course record in the process. In 1980, one of the closest women’s Boston Marathons in history was marred by the Rosie Ruiz ruse. Patti finished second only 40 seconds behind Jacqueline Gareau. Later in 1980 she set the American record at 2:29:53, second to Grete Waitz at New York. In 1981 Dillon beat both Gareau and Benoit at Boston, setting another American record (2:27:51), but lost narrowly to Allison Roe of New Zealand. She pushed Roe to a new Boston record of 2:26:46. Each of these women was doing more than running marathon roads. They were paving them for all the women marathoners who followed, including hundreds who will run this race. Bill Rodgers is best known for his four wins at Boston and four consecutive wins at New York, the only person ever to do so. He was also an Olympian in 1976 and 1980, and is one of the most famous distance runners of all time. He holds a masters degree in special education from Boston College, and heads the Bill Rodgers Running Center at Fanueil Hall in Boston. He appears at speaking engagements and road races around the globe. He was the world’s top ranked marathoner during most of the late seventies. He was favored to win the gold at the Moscow Olympic Games until the US boycott. In addition to several American marathon records, he also set a world record for 25K, and American records for 15K, 20K, 30K, and one hour (12 miles, 1,351 yards). He is still very competitive in his age group at 56, and a true ambassador of the sport. Bill Rodgers and Patti Dillon will attend the Race Expo on Saturday (2:00 to 5:00 p.m.) and sign autographs and speak with participants. Both Dillon and Rodgers will sign free multi-colored marathon posters; and Rodgers will autograph copies of his recent Book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Running at the Marathon Expo and pasta dinner. Watch for Rodgers, Patti Dillon, her husband Dan Dillon (also a great runner), and possibly author and coach Tom Derderian to run in the Marathon Relay. Derderian will also be on hand at the Expo to speak and sign copies of his comprehensive book on the Boston Marathon. The famous Team Hoyt, Dick Hoyt and his son Rick, will also be on hand at the Expo, and will autograph copies of their book, Its Only a Mountain. The expo will be held in the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Resort Hotel ballroom from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th, and from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on race day. Post registration will be available at the expo, if not sold out in advance, and bib and Championchip pick up will be available both days. Half Marathon Teams and Marathon Relay Teams Running club team scoring brings a whole new perspective to marathon running, and to weekend getaways. Top teams will be rewarded (top three score) in the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Half Marathon. They will include male and female open, masters, and seniors, mixed open, masters, and seniors (at least one woman), as well as Clydesdale and Filly teams, so there are plenty of opportunities to bring home some hardware. This is in addition to overall, age, weight, and division winners in each event. Championchip timing will be used in all races. Get more. Bring friends. In addition to the team awards in the half marathon, there will be awards for marathon relay teams--female and male divisions of open, masters, and seniors, as well as Fillies, and Clydesdales. Relay teams will save 25% if registered before February 15. 2005. Four people can enjoy a weekend away together by running the Marathon Relay. Two legs are 7.3 miles in length, and two are 5.8 miles; the relay handoff points are Craigsville Beach and the Four Points Sheraton—Four Points, four legs. Those running the legs from Craigsville Beach will be keeping company with Bill Rodgers and Patti Dillon. However, if you want to get a ticket for your relay you must act fast; there will be a cutoff at 50 teams. The other events will also have limits on the field to insure delivery of friendly, personalized service to all: International stars, average runners, and back-of-the-pack participants. Awards and Divisions, RecordsAll four races include more Clydesdale and Filly weight-division prizes than any other marathon, 10K, or half marathon, all going three deep. Clydesdale open and masters 190 to 210 pounds, Clydesdale open and masters 211 to 225 pounds, and open and masters 226 and above. Clydesdale seniors 190 lbs. and over are included in all three. Filly open and masters’ prizes are also awarded in all three individual events. Championchip timing by Granite State Race Services will offer immediate, accurate results.  Attractive, colorful long-sleeve T-shirts will be given to all who register before February 15th, and after February 15th as available. All participants will receive finisher medals commemorating their event. Additional top quality items sporting attractive screened and embroidered logos will be for sale at the expo: Hooded pullovers, fleece vests, running jackets, T-shirts, multi-colored golf shirts, and coffee mugs to name a few. There will be a $500 reward for a marathon course record.Both the Marathon and Half Marathon are certified. Julie Peterson holds the record for the Half Marathon at 1:15:41 (1991), while Larry Barthlow set the men’s record at 1:06:56 in the same year. Mike Slinsky set the Marathon record in 1995 (2:26:51), and Agnes Ruane holds the women’s record of 2:56:23 (1988). Katie Wasilenko set a new 10K course record in winning the 2004 event at 40:20, while Phil Reilly won the men’s 10K last year (32:22). Ken Pliska set the men’s 10K record (32:02) in 2002. The Marathon winners last February were Sonya Anderson of Minnisota (2:59:54) and Judson Cake of Maine (2:37:10). Chris Teague of Norwood, Massachusetts won the half in 1:10:16, as did Molly Tabor of Somerville, Massachusetts at 1:18:45. For AllConsideration is given to all paces and abilities, all sizes and disabilities. For example, there is a marathon early start for slower runners, so the awards can be given on time. Early start marathoners and relay teams will have different colored bibs. Different color bib numbers will identify all runners by their race. Marathoners will wear blue, while marathon “early start” runners will wear red. Traditional white will identify half marathon runners and team relay runners, while the 10K runners will wear yellow. Both the marathon and half marathon are certified, the 10K very accurately measured.  The weather on Cape Cod is milder than the rest of New England. The Gulf Stream often brings moderate running and biking/windsurfing weather. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy outdoor activities year round, and many recreational runners enjoy the trails and byways along the Cape’s shores in winter. A Tour to RememberRunners will enjoy the essence of Cape Cod—before, during, and after the racing. All four events will be touring scenic villages and beautiful beaches. The villages of Hyannisport and Centerville have that quintessential Cape Cod/New England look and feel. Fishing villages, Craigville Beach, the John F. Kennedy Memorial (overlooking Lewis Bay), the Kennedy family compound, Kalmus Beach (one of the best wind surfing beaches on the east coast—year round), the magnificent homes of whaling captains, ferries to the islands, fishing fleets, and the rolling Atlantic beyond are only a few of the scenic vistas. Seafood and soup seem to taste better on Cape Cod too. A sampling will be available at the post race ceremonies, with various vendors offering their hot soup and chowder. Several other vendors will make the post race meal a memorable experience. The host club is the Cape Cod Athletic Club. And a portion of the proceeds will go to the Cape Cod Athletic Club, Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod, the Barnstable Police Officer Michael Aselton Scholarship Fund, Dennis-Yarmouth High School Boy's Cross-Country and Spring Track and Field teams, Colonial Road Runners Charitable Donations, and the Brocton High School Track Team. Each of these organizations will send many volunteers for all events and activities. This dedicated team of friendly, helpful people promises to make your race and your weekend get-away an experience to remember. The Place to Be for a Unique and Memorable Celebration and GetawayThe 2005 edition of the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and Marathon Relay certainly will be an ideal opportunity to enjoy a weekend or a mini vacation on Cape Cod, no matter which race options you choose. It will be the first of the 2005 New England marathons. There are years of tradition here, and a culture of running. The course is picturesque, and the post-card views are only part of the draw for runners of all abilities. Tourists come from all over the world just to experience Old Cape Cod. Race Weekend in Hyannis provides that opportunity—and so much more. What is your level of perseverance and dedication? Set your goals now for 2005, and include this one on that list. Hyannis is your opportunity for a terrifically enjoyable weekend at one of the Northeast’s most beautiful locations—and a race you will not forget.
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